Judge rules Democratic lawmaker must be allowed to attend Kennedy Center board meeting

A federal judge ruled Saturday that a Democratic lawmaker who serves on the Kennedy Center board must be given a chance to participate in an upcoming meeting on plans to temporarily close the performance venue.

Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio, who is opposed to the planned two-year closure for renovations sought by President Donald Trump, filed a lawsuit that included a request that she be allowed to take part in Monday’s board meeting at the White House, where the $200 million project is on the agenda. It also said she needed to receive details from the board about the renovation plans set for discussion.

“Beatty faces the risk of irreparable harm without the Court’s intervention, especially because once the meeting comes and goes without a meaningful ability for her to consider the issues and weigh in, that injury cannot be undone,” U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said in Saturday’s ruling.

The judge also ruled that Beatty must be provided certain readily available information about the planned closure in advance of the meeting.

“The Court has little trouble concluding that Beatty’s lack of access to core information about the Kennedy Center’s closure and reconstruction plans will cause her irreparable harm,” Cooper wrote, adding that the lawmaker “has not received any information from her co-trustees, Board leadership, or staff as to even the basic scope of the work that is planned for the Kennedy Center — whether it turns out to be modest renovation, complete demolition and rebuilding, or something in between.”

The judge, however, ruled that Beatty had not shown enough evidence to force the board to allow her to vote on anything during the meeting. The board consists of members appointed by the president and ex officio members like Beatty, who are designated by Congress and include a bipartisan mix of lawmakers, administration officials and D.C. government leaders.

Roma Daravi, a spokesperson for the Kennedy Center said in a statement: “Despite her claims in court, Congresswoman Beatty was invited to the board meeting and is welcome to attend. The Center will abide by the court’s ruling and is happy to provide information demonstrating the need for closure and renovations.”

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The judge did not rule on Beatty’s request to stop the temporary closure and renovation of the Kennedy Center. A further briefing and hearing on that matter is likely down the line.

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“The Kennedy Center is a national cultural institution created by Congress and supported by the American public,” Beatty said in a statement after the judge’s ruling. “No president has the authority to shut Congress out of the governance of the Kennedy Center, much less unilaterally rename or demolish it. We will not stand by while an important part of our national heritage is jeopardized, and I intend to make that clear at next week’s board meeting.”

Beatty filed her lawsuit in December over a move by Trump’s handpicked board to add his name to the official name of the venue — the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. That name was established through congressional legislation and signed into law. That lawsuit alleged that during the meeting where the vote for the name change took place, which Beatty attended virtually, she was muted after identifying herself.

Monday’s meeting comes as Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell steps down from his post after a tumultuous year that saw various artists cancel performances at the venue over the proposed name change. The president on Friday announced that Grenell, a longtime ally of his, would be replaced by Matt Floca, vice president of facilities operations at the center.